A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume II, Part 140

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1234

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In 1888 Mr. Delpy married Marie Ravauter, a native of sunny France, and they have five children, namely, Nellie, Emma, Emil, Ernest and Clara. Politically Mr. Delpy is a stanch adherent of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for official favors. In religion he and his family are Catholics, and attendants of the San Luis Rey Mission.

MRS. PAULINE MARY SCHOLLER. A woman of strong personality, active, energetic and possessing keen perceptive faculties, Mrs. Scholler is well known in the mercantile life of Los Angeles county, and now, with her husband, is conducting a general store in East San Pe- dro. A daughter of the late Daniel Sorensen, she was born in Los Nietos, Los Angeles coun- ty, near Whittier, of Danish ancestry on the paternal side, and coming of thrifty German stock on the maternal side of the house.

A native of Copenhagen, Denmark, Daniel Sorensen began life as a sailor, following the sea from boyhood. While yet a young man he came around Cape Horn to America, and for awhile after his arrival in California was em- ployed in mining. Subsequently, with his brothers, Charles and Anton, he came to South- ern California, locating near Whittier, where he bought land and for a few years was engaged in raising grapes, the ranches belonging to him- self and brothers being just opposite the reform school grounds. He also set out walnut groves, and for a time devoted himself to raising nuts, a profitable industry. He was a man of great enterprise, practical and capable, and was one of the first to use the water from the river and mountain streams as a motor power. He de- veloped the water power for the South River- side Light and Water Company and for R. B. Taylor, of Corona. Before completing his work

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for the latter, Mr. Sorensen, while prospecting in Death Valley, where he owned land, lost his way and perished in the desert, his death oc- curring in August, 1893, at the age of sixty-three years. Mr. Sorensen married Sebina Roache, who was born in Boston, Mass., of German par- ents, and is now a resident of Los Angeles, Cal., her home being on South Figueroa street. Of the five sons and two daughters that she bore her husband all are living with the exception of one son, Mrs. Pauline Mary Scholler being the oldest child.

Brought up in Anaheim, Orange county, Pauline Mary Sorensen received a practical edu- cation in the public schools. In 1887 she mar- ried Frank Armbruster, who was born in St. Paul, Minn. Learning the trade of a carpen- ter and builder in his native city, Mr. Armbrus- ter came to California when young. He subse- quently turned his attention to mining pursuits, before many years becoming an expert amal- gamator. Removing with his family to Crip- ple Creek, Colo., in 1896, Mr. Armbruster was there employed in mining until his death, in 1897. Mrs. Armbruster soon after started in business for herself, remaining in Cripple Creek as a horticulturist for about five years after her husband's death. Returning to California in 1902, she located in East San Pedro and very soon afterward embarked in the mercantile bus- iness. Meeting with such encouraging success in her venture she opened a general store at the Salt Lake depot, which she conducted until be- ing burned out. She was married April 9, 1906, to E. T. Scholler, who has been a resident of San Pedro since 1903. Mrs. Scholler has two children by her first marriage, namely: Eva Marie and Robert.

GAIL E. MOON. As a resident representative of the Bayside Land Company, which has its headquarters in Los Angeles, Gail E. Moon, of Long Beach, is one of the most prominent real estate men in this city. He was born March 18, 1877, in Otisco, Ionia county, Mich., where his grandfather, James Moon, settled in an early day, cleared land for civilization and lived upon it during the remainder of his lifetime. His parents, A. L. and Anna May (Gardner) Moon, were both natives of Michigan, the former born in Otisco, and the latter of Lowell, where her father, James Gardner (who was born in Lon- don, England, and later settled in Canada) finally located permanently. A. L. Moon was principal of schools for several years, subsequently en- gaging in mercantile and manufacturing pur- suits until he came to California in 1886, when he located in Santa Ana and was for a time a real- estate dealer. Afterwards he became a farmer

south of that city, then removed to Los Angeles and took up successively a windmill business, newspaper work and insurance, and is now en- gaged in mining in Colorado, his residence be- ing in Denver at the present time. Of his three sons, two grew to maturity, and Charles L. is a broker in Los Angeles.

When brought by his father to California Gail E. Moon was a lad of nine years and accordingly his education was obtained in the public and high schools of Los Angeles. At the commencement of his independent business career he secured employment in the advertising department of the Times and traveled for them four years. He then began in the real-estate business and later combined with this loan and brokerage lines. It was in 1905 that he became connected with the Bayside Land Company as clerk and since that time he has had charge of that firm's Long Beach office. Politically he is an advocate of the prin- ciples embraced in the platform of the Republican party. As a progressive and enterprising young business man and a public spirited citizen he has earned the good will and respect of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

WILLIAM T. ROWE. In Elsinore, where he is living as a retired prospector and mine own- er, William T. Rowe is accounted one of the prominent citizens of his community. The father, Asa, and the mother, who was Judith Thomas be- fore her marriage, were both born in Phillips, Franklin county, Me., and lived there during their entire lives, the father being a builder by trade. They became the parents of six children, three sons and one daughter surviving them. William T., who was born at Phillips, Me., Oc- tober 3, 1848, made for himself a fine record during the Civil war, three of his brothers also doing valiant service. Winthrop, who resides in Elsinore, was in the Sixteenth Regiment of Maine Volunteers ; Eben, now residing in Maine, was a member of the Twentieth Regiment of the same state; while Allen, who was killed in service in Florida, belonged to the Second Regi- ment of Maine Cavalry.

The boyhood days of William T. Rowe were spent at his birthplace and he was attending the public school at Phillips when the war broke out. He ran away to enlist in the army, but was ob- liged to make two attempts before he was ac- cepted by Company C, Sixteenth Regiment of Maine Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in at Augusta in 1863, and as a member of the Army of the Potomac took part in engagements from Rappahannock to Appomattox, marched through the wilderness and was in the siege of Petersburg. He took part in the grand review at Washington, and was mustered out at Alex-

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andria, Va., on June 5, 1865. He then returned to his home and re-entered school, later attend- ing the Wesleyan Seminary at Kents Hill for, two years. In the spring of 1868 he went to Chicago, remaining there during the summer, and then went to Minneapolis and Anoka, Minn., where he engaged in the lumbering business for six years.

Following this Mr. Rowe returned to Phillips, Me., remaining there for a time, then spent one year on the Atlantic coast. Subsequently he crossed the continent and during the winter of 1875 was in San Francisco. The following spring he went to Prescott, Ariz., traveling by stage, and engaged in mining with his brother in Yavapai county. They located a number of valuable claims and opened the New Era mine, twelve miles from Prescott, which sold not long ago for $175,000. He also located a group of eight claims on Lynch creek, which he sold for $15,000. Successful operations in this line were con- tinued until 1901, when he came to California and lived at Sawtelle for one year. In 1902 he finally located in Elsinore, purchased prop- erty and has been a resident of this place ever since. He still owns valuable mining in- terests, but is now retired from active business operations. He is a strong adherent of the prin- ciples advocated in the platform of the Democra- tic party, takes an active interest in matters of public import and was in 1904 elected to a posi- tion on the Elsinore board of trustees, which he resigned in 1906.

JOHN C. BRYAN. The family represented by this enterprising agriculturist of San Diego county became established in America during an early era of its colonization and has been identi- fied honorably with its development. Both in peace and in war its members have proved loyal to their country. Col. George W. Bryan of Ohio won high distinction as an officer in the war of 1812 and his son, Henry Clay, served in the ranks of an Ohio regiment of infantry during the Civil war. The most distinguished member of the family is Hon. William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska, who is a second cousin of John C. Bryan of San Diego county; but others of the name, though lacking the eloquence of the "silver- tongued orator," have not lacked his wide knowl- edge of public affairs and his earnest convictions upon national problems.

After having taught school in his native Ohio and having gained also by experience a thorough knowledge of farming, in 1865 Henry Clay Bryan removed to Missouri, accompanied by his wife, Mary (Seeks) Bryan, a native of Ohio, and with their children, among whom was John C., who was born in Adams county, Ohio. December 19,

1858, and was a boy of less than seven years at the time of the removal to Missouri. The family settled in Atchison county, where the father taught school during the winter months and in the summer seasons engaged in farming. When forty-six years of age he passed away, August 30, 1871 ; he was long survived by his wife, who died in Missouri April 22, 1895, aged seventy-one years. Their son, John C., was not yet thirteen years of age at the father's death, but he at once assumed his share of the work, and with his brother, George Washington, took charge of the homestead. In 1885 he disposed of his interest in the estate to William H. Bryan, a younger brother, and shortly afterward removed to Ne- braska, where he took up a homestead claim in Hitchcock county. For a few years he engaged in making needed improvements on the land and in bringing the soil under cultivation, but in 1888. he disposed of the property and returned to his old home neighborhood in Atchison county, Mo., where he bought an improved farm and engaged in farming and stock-raising.

Selling out his Missouri possessions in 1895. Mr. Bryan loaded his household effects in wagons. and journeyed overland to Ogden, Utah, from which point he traveled by railroad to Los. Angeles, and from there drove with teams to Escondido, San Diego county. For a year he remained at Lacosta and then spent five years in Gopher Cañon. Later he bought one hundred and twenty acres which he still owns and which is known as the old Bonsall ranch. However, instead of residing on that place, he rents it to. a tenant and makes his home on a rented tract of five hundred acres near Bonsall, where he en- gages in raising grain and corn, also to some ex- tent is interested in the dairy business and in the raising of stock. For a brief period, from May of 1902 to June of 1903, he made his home in Santa Ana, where he engaged in the insurance' business, but with that exception he has devoted himself exclusively to agricultural pursuits. Though constantly busy in matters connected with. his farm pursuits he finds leisure to keep posted upon subjects of governmental importance and gives his support to socialistic principles, believ- ing them to possess the qualities making for the permanent prosperity of the people.

The first marriage of Mr. Bryan took place May 10, 1881, and united him with Miss Cath- erine S. McNair, who was born in Canada, but from early girlhood was a resident of Tarkio, Atchison county, Mo., and there died March 24, 1884. His second marriage was solemnized in Tarkio August 26, 1889, and united him with Miss Lena M. Shackelford, a native of Missouri, and there reared and educated. Two daughters. bless their union, Mary Ruth and Mabel Fern.

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JACOB BROWN. Among the prosperous farmers of Los Angeles county, the record of whose lives fills an important place in this vol- ume, it gives us pleasure to place the name of Jacob Brown, of Palms, who is now living re- tired from active business on the ranch which he has improved. For nearly a quarter of a century he has resided in this locality, and during that time he has witnessed many wonderful changes in the face of the country, and in the develop- ment and advancement of its agricultural in- terests has actively participated. A son of Charles Brown, he was born, June 25, 1836, in Cambridgeshire, England, and was there ed- ucated. Born and reared in Cambridgeshire, Charles Brown learned the trade of brick mason and a plasterer when young, and followed it during his entire life of seventy-three years, in England. He married Mary Stinton, a woman of much force of character, and a member of the Baptist Church. She bore him seven children, six of whom grew to years of maturity, namely : Robert, Ellen, Sophia, Amy, Jacob and George.

Having very limited advantages in his native land, Jacob Brown remained at home until seventeen years old, when, in 1854, he came across the sea to the United States, spending the eighteenth anniversary of his birth on the Atlantic ocean. From New York City, where he landed, he went to Illinois, locating first in Chicago, then a small hamlet giving slight promise of its present greatness, and next at Rock Island. Not liking his prospects in either place, he left Illinois, going to Sabula, Jackson county, Iowa, where he resided for twenty-five years, being busily employed as a mason and plasterer, and in farming. Removing thence to Plymouth county, Iowa, he homesteaded eighty acres of government land and engaged in farm- ing, remaining there until 1883. While in Iowa he had been ordained as a minister in the United Brethren Church, and upon coming to California in that year he entered upon the work of an evangelist and did much to advance the cause of religion and morality. Subsequently invest- ing his money in bottom lands, he purchased one hundred acres near Palms, and by means of well-directed toil and wise management he improved a valuable ranch, which he has de- voted for many years to general farming. Hav- ing labored hard during his active life, Mr. Brown is now living retired, spending his clos- ing years in ease and comfort.

Mr. Brown married Mary Stinton, whose maiden name was identical with that of his mother before her marriage, and into their home sixteen children have been born, and of these fifteen grew to years of maturity, Charles, living in Plymouth county, Iowa, married Edith Bristow ; George, also a resident of that county,

married Addie Richardson ; Newton, of San Luis Obispo county, Cal., married Ellen Rose; Mercy is the wife of Louis Stephens, of Los Angeles county ; Sarah is the wife of Joseph Tabor, of Humboldt county, Cal .; Caroline, deceased, married Gilbert Kidson, of Palms; Mary is liv- ing at home; Thomas, deceased, married Lillie Munger; Martin and Luther were twins, the former being deceased; Allen is living in Los Angeles county ; Jacob, Jr., is at home ; Rebecca, deceased, married George Atrel; Eric, of San Bernardino county, is shipping clerk for a min- ing company; and Clara Amelia is deceased. Politically Mr. Brown is a strong Prohibitionist, and religiously he is a valued and conscientious member of the United Brethren Church.

GEORGE W. LYNN. During the colonial period of our national history "Teddie" Lynn came from his native country of Ireland to the new world and settled in Virginia. Shortly af- ter he had acquired land in the Old Dominion the Revolutionary war began and he promptly offered his services to his adopted country. For seven years and six months he fought under General Washington, meanwhile enduring every hardship and constant exposure such as fell to the brave men fighting in that long and sanguin- ary struggle. With the close of the war he was honorably discharged and shortly afterward he migrated to the then frontier of Ohio, where he took up a tract of farm land and turned the first furrows in the primeval soil. It was his good fortune to long survive the era of the Revolution and when at last he passed from earth at ninety years he had seen the second victory of our country over England, the sound establishment of our national government and the extension of our possessions beyond the great Mississippi river.

When the family removed to the unsettled regions of Ohio Andrew F., a son of the Revo- lutionary soldier, and a native of Virginia, was a child of five years ; hence as a boy he was fa- miliar with the development of the frontier, the incoming of settlers, the cultivation of vast tracts of raw land, the clearing away of timber, and all the environments that marked the period of transition from savagery to civilization. On the homestead which his father had taken up from the government he engaged in general farming and in raising horses, and on that same place he died at eighty-five years. In early manhood he had married Nancy J. Bunnell, who was born in Pennsylvania of German extraction and died in Ohio at sixty-seven years. Fourteen children were born of that union, George W. being the youngest son and the twelfth child. He was born on the homestead in Guernsey county, Ohio,

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near the county-seat, Cambridge, February 24, 1848, and during boyhood attended country schools held in primitive log buildings illy equipped with facilities for the instruction and comtort of the pupils. At the age of sixteen years he began an apprenticeship in a general store, where he remained for three years at a salary of $100 per year.

Removing from Ohio to Illinois Mr. Lynn be- gan to clerk in a store in Piatt county and there continued until 1871, when he came to the Pa- cihic coast on a short visit, and in 1889 came again to the state, locating in Los Angeles. During the six years of his residence in Los Angeles he was connected with A. Hamburger & Son as floor walker, but resigned his position in 1895 and removed to Palms, Los Angeles county, where he engaged in ranching. January 1, 1905, he embarked in the livery buisness at Palms, where he conducted a boarding and sales stable until selling out the business April 1, 1906. He is now superintendent of the Palms Water Com- pany. In politics Mr. Lynn votes with the Re- publican party. His home at Palms is presided over by Mrs. Lynn, formerly Ella J. Richardson, of Jacksonville, Ill., whom he married in 1883, and by whom he has one daughter, Bonnie V., now residing with her parents. .

BERT PAUL. Among the enterprising citi- zens of Long Beach, Bert Paul holds a prominent place in the real estate interests advancing the values of the city and surrounding country and adding materially to the development of this section. Mr. Paul is a native of Glasgow, Scot- land, born April 7, 1880, a son of John Maxwell Paul, a commercial traveler, who came to San Diego, Cal., for his health. He died in England, survived by his wife, who now resides in San Diego. In Preston, England, Bert Paul received his education in private schools, where he re- mained a resident until 1893. In that year he accompanied his parents to California and in San Diego attended and graduated from the public schools. Following his graduation he took up clerical work and in 1900 came north to Los Angeles, where he entered the employ of Strong & Dickinson, a well-known real-estate firm of that city, and with whom he remained as agent for two years. Locating in Long Beach in 1902 he became a member of the real-estate firm of Gary, Paul & Kenyon, with whom he continued for a few months, when he sold his interest to the firm and began independent operations. In August, 1904 he formed a partnership with W. H. But- ters, and in this connection purchased and opened the Riverside tract of thirty acres, the Inner Harbor tract of eleven hundred lots, and the Nash tract of eighty-seven acres. In 1906 they organized and incorporated the Strand Invest-

ment Company, capitalized at $50,000, and also built the Long Beach skating rink, which has proven a success. They carry on a general real- estate business and are more or less interested in the majority of the incorporations in Long Beach.

Mr. Paul is prominent in public affairs in Long Beach, now serving as a member of the Board of Trade and of the Cosmopolitan club. In politics he supports the Republican party, and fraternally is associated with Long Beach Lodge No. 888, B. P. O. E. The success which has come to him has been the result of his own efforts and ex- perience, for as a very young man he took up business life without special training or instruc- tion, working his way from a subordinate posi- tion to the independent one which he occupies to-day. He has seen considerable of western life, having spent two years as a cowboy in Mexico before taking up business pursuits, and has profited by all associations, whether on the range or his present occupation.

CAPT. CHARLES A. SEABERG. Thor- oughly acquainted with the sea and all matters of business connected with it, whether relating to navigation, commerce or transportation, Capt. Charles A. Seaberg, of San Diego, is especially fitted for the responsible position which he holds with the Spreckles Company as captain on the Coronado Ferry. Quick-witted, cool-headed and trustworthy, he performs the duties devolving upon him in this capacity with ability and fidel- ity. Large-hearted and generous, by his genial nature he has won a large circle of friends, and as a man and a citizen is held in high esteem. A native of Sweden, he was born May 3, 1861, in Stockholm, where he received his early edu- cation. He was the only child of his parents, August and Brigitta (Sondval) Seaberg, both of whom spent their entire lives in Sweden, his father during his lifetime being engaged in the fishing business and owning a line of boats.

When fourteen years of age Charles A. Sea- berg shipped as a sailor before the mast, and for a while was engaged in coasting, both on schoon- ers and steamers. Going then to England, he made a voyage to Spain and the West Indies, after which, sailing from London, he made two trips to Australia, one trip to China, and one to Valparaiso, South America. Returning to his native land, he spent the winter at Stockholm, and then went to Hamburg, where he shipped on a German vessel for a three years' cruise. Re- turning to England, he made another trip to Australia, and from there. in October, 1888, came to San Francisco to locate. Shipping as mate on the schooner commanded by his uncle, Captain Sondval, Mr. Seaberg was engaged in sealing for a year. On his return to San Fran-

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cisco he was ill for three months, after which he made two trips on a coaster. The following three years he was one of the crew of the Spreckles yacht, Lurline, on which he came to San Diego in 1893. Entering then the employ of the Spreckles Company in this place, he was for six years purser on the ferry, of which he has now the sole charge, having served as cap- tain since 1899.

In 1895, in San Diego, Captain Seaberg mar- ried Louisa Johnson, who was born and reared in Sweden. Politically the captain is a stanch Re- publican, and religiously he is a Lutheran. He is a member of the Scandinavian Society, and is identified with several of the leading fraternal organizations, belonging to Sunset Lodge No. 328, I. O. O. F .; to San Diego Encampment ; to San Diego Canton; to the Ancient Order of United Workmen; and to the Knights of Py- thias.

FRANCIS PORTER SARGENT. A few miles out from San Bernardino, on rural route No. I, Mr. Sargent is successfully engaged in the bee industry. It is his experience that this industry may be made one of the most pleasurable lines of business in which one can engage, and for nearly twenty years he has conducted an apiary on the ranch he now occupies.

Of New England birth and parentage, Francis P. Sargent was born in Boston, Mass., July 14, 1832, a son of Tappan and Sarah (Bagley) Sargent. Mr. Sargent was a lad in school when the discovery of gold in Cali- fornia was heralded throughout the country, and as soon at it was possible for him to ac- cumulate the necessary means he started for the gold fields from New England. After pay- ing his passage and other expenses via the Isthmus of Panama he arrived in San Fran- cisco in 1855 with just $150 in his pocket. After fourteen years of earnest endeavor on his part he returned east in 1869 with $40,000 to his credit, all of which he had made in the mines. Misfortune overtook him, however, in the form of unwise investments and dishonest partners, so that his fortune was depleted con- siderably during the years which he spent in the east. March of 1887 again found him a resident of California, for it was at this time that he came to San Bernardino county and purchased the property which from that day to this has been his home. This consists of twenty-five acres, and bears little resem- blance to the place which he purchased nearly two decades ago, for instead of a sand ridge, which it then was, it is now covered with trees and shrubs, all fruit bearing, besides which he has sown considerable alfalfa. Fruit farming.

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A history of California and an extended history of its southern coast counties, also containing biographies of well-known citizens of the past and present, Volume II, Part 140

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918 Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company Number of Pages: 1234

Author: Guinn, James Miller, 1834-1918
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Los Angeles, Cal., Historic record company
Number of Pages: 1234